Ben Charles Sr. died at the age of 83 years old. He was born in Physt, Washington, to Phillip Lane and Rosalie (Thomas) Charles.

Mr. Charles graduated from Chemewa Indian Boarding School in 1956. He completed three years of study at Seattle Bible College. Mr. Charles was a member of the Elwha Assembly of God Church and a long-term affiliate with the American Indian Fellowship. The three brothers, Ben, John and Freddy, started up the "Charles Brothers Trio." They played Christian music. Only being in their twenties many churches began asking them to come and sing for them all across the United States. They put out a record with 2 songs on it, then another album that had a dozen or so songs on it.

He was a minister for most of his life, after he finished his studies at the Seattle Bible College.

Throughout his life, he held various positions, but he did work as a social worker in Indian Child Welfare Program at both the Nisqually Tribe and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. In the later years, he also worked as a facilities maintenance worker for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe before retiring.

Mr. Charles married Susan Thompson in Prineville, Oregon, in 1963, and they were married over 50 years. They lived and ministered in the following communities: Seattle, Prineville, Ore., Port Angeles, Elwha, Yelm/Nisqually, Burns Lake, B.C., and Prince Rupert, B.C.

In addition to his wife, survivors include son Benjamin K Charles Jr.; daughters Stephanie Charles and Margie Sampson; sisters Loretta Charles, Geneva Black and Cynthia Charles; brother Phillip Charles Jr.; and grandchildren Phoenix, Cedar and Hunter Charles.

He was preceded in death by father Phillip Charles Sr. and mother Rosalie (Thomas) Charles, brothers Floyd Charles, Fred Charles, John Charles and sisters Linda, Phyllis, Mary, Christine, Rita Charles and Rosie Sampson.

Services: A memorial service will take place at a later date, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and there will be a private graveside service November 12 at 10 a.m. with Rev. George Kallappa officiating. Drennan-Ford Funeral Home of Port Angeles is in charge of the arrangements.

Please sign the online guestbook for his family at www.drennanford.com .